“I prefer the European game to the NBA because basketball is a team sport and more beautiful to watch when the players pass the ball or when the ball movement to create shooting situations.”

Here’s the thing — 30 NBA coaches agree with Gasol. Well, maybe 29, who knows what Mark Jackson is thinking. But at what point have you heard any NBA coach say, “what we need is more isolation basketball and guys standing around, I’m sick of all this off-the-ball movement.” It doesn’t happen because of the players, not the coaches.

Phil Jackson’s brilliance (in addition to getting a team to focus and ignore outside distractions) was getting star players to buy into a system that required selflessness. The triangle was about spacing and ball movement, and Jackson got guys like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal to buy in. Or at least buy in enough to make it work. At its heart, the triangle offense was more European in style than what most NBA teams run.

And Gasol is right, when the Lakers really ran the triangle the basketball was a thing of beauty.

Pau……Just come out an say “you prefer softer style of basketball”. I’ve watched both leagues because I love the game. While there are a few things I would like the NBA to include in the rules; taking the ball off the rim without it being a goaltend for one, otherwise there’s no comparison as to which is a more entertaining game style. Hands down…NBA. For instance Navarro on his (Gasol) country’s team of Spain would never reach the heights he has reached in Euroball over here. Defense is more of an element in the NBA then Euroball.